Verse 2 of the song also notes that he didn't even know he was a robot. People in the world walking around without Christ may not even know that there is something better, that freedom is found in Christ. As the song says, they think they are free (free to do whatever they want). Ask the youth to name some of the desires people, including ourselves, chase after. Who really wants someone to control them? How much do we like it when someone is telling us what to do? We don't, but that is the devil's plotcontrol man with sin. He is a liar, and the "father of lies" (John 8:44).

How does the artist robot break free?

(He has a new master.)

Read Romans 6:1-14, concentrate on v. 6-8.

We died to our former selves, we died to that robot life. The old self is crucified with Christ (v. 10). We live in Christ. We can not break free from the robot life, but Christ can and did! (v.4)

Our former selves, our robot selves with sin for our master, were drowned in Baptism. We are no longer slaves to sin and the devil, we are set free. (v. 6-7)

We have a new master! (v. 8) We live for Christ! This is real freedom (see Galatians 5:1). Christ isn't like the old master, He isn't a liar. He is Love. He treasures our freedom. Living in Him is freedom.

Grace is our master. (v. 14)

What does life look like with Grace as our master?

(v. 11- we are dead to sin, alive in Christ; we flee from sin, live in repentance and grace. Look at v. 2 of the song "no longer hollow", "He gave me new commands, and he freed me up to follow".)

Here's the really good stuff...

Look at v. 3 of the Robot song. What 3 things does Trip Lee call out in our fight against sin?

(The devil, the world, the flesh)

These are the same three things Luther warns us against.

Look in Luther's Small Catechism, The Lord's Prayer, 6th Petition.

The Sixth Petition

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?

God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

The older version of the catechism even still calls our sinful nature our flesh!

Possible further activities:

Break up in groups, or stay together...list across the top of a paper "the devil, the world, and our flesh". Ask the students to list some ideas of ways each of these things try to war with us in our life. You might have to get them started. Remind them that in Christ we have victory over all of it! (Romans 6:1-14)

Check out the hymn "All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall" (Lutheran Service Book 562). How does this hymn proclaim the message of Romans 6:1-14?

Name people you can reach out to with this message of freedom in Christ. How can you share the Good News with them that they don't have to be robots?

Pray

Dear Jesus, we praise you for your death and resurrection. Thank you for setting us free from sin and bondage to Satan. We know you live in us now. Help us to turn to you always, everyday, and to daily die to sin. Keep us in your Word to guard against the lies of the devil. Remind us that as baptized children of God, we are victors in You! In your name we pray, Amen.